Shape Stable Nose Tip (SSNT) Accelerated Process Manufacturability

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE (SSN) announcement.  SSNs are issued to assist the Agency in performing market research to determine industry interest and capability.  No proposals are being requested or accepted with this synopsis.  THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS AND NO CONTRACT SHALL BE AWARDED FROM THIS SYNOPSIS. Therefore, no proposals are being requested or accepted in response to this SSN.

1.0       Purpose

In accordance with (IAW) Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10, SSP is conducting market research to determine if sources are capable of successfully performing the requirements identified in this SSN. Specifically, SSP is seeking capable firms to execute the Shape Stable Nose Tip (SSNT) Manufacturing Capacity Expansion. This effort requires the Contractor to procure, install, integrate, and qualify specialized Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) and bespoke industrial manufacturing equipment necessary to support the entire lifetimes of the Mk7, Mk4B, and Mk21A strategic programs. The effort includes the phased procurement of Contractor-Acquired Property (CAP) including long-lead items, facility integration, execution of Installation Qualification, Operational Qualification, and Performance Qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) processes via the manufacturing of SSNT proofing billets, and Systems Security Engineering to achieve a Navy SSP Authority to Operate (ATO), as identified in Enclosure (1) SSN Statement of Work (SOW).

The anticipated contract type will include Cost - No Fee Contract Line-Item Numbers (CLINs) for the physical equipment procurement, and Cost-Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) Level of Effort (LOE) CLINs for the installation, qualification, and engineering services. The Period of Performance (POP) will include a Base Year effort from 1 July 2026 – 30 September 2027, and two (2) corresponding one-year option periods extending through 30 September 2029.

NOTE: Given the highly technical nature of SSP’s mission set as a major weapons systems command and corresponding technical requirements, respondents must provide recent and relevant past performance data (as detailed below) to demonstrate and substantiate the respondent’s ability to successfully execute requirements detailed in this SSN.

2.0       White Paper Capability Statement Credentials

SSP is seeking detailed, complete, and thorough White Paper capability statements from interested firms who can demonstrate and document, with evidentiary support, that they 1) possess the minimum qualifications and experience identified in paragraph 3.0 which are critical to the successful execution of the requirements, and 2) demonstrate recent and relevant experience, as the Prime contractor (or subcontractor) performing the same/similar efforts of the same/similar scope, size, and complexity to the enclosure (1) SSN SOW requirements identified in paragraph 4.0.  Interested firms must demonstrate their existing capability, or potential to acquire the capability, to meet the enclosure (1) SSN SOW requirements by the time of contract award, estimated to be 1 July 2027.

2.1       Small Business Concerns

IAW FAR Subpart 19.2 Polices, SSP seeks to provide maximum practicable opportunities in its acquisitions to small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, and women-owned small business concerns.  Small Business Concerns who possess the minimum qualifications and experience identified in paragraph 3.0 and who can demonstrate its concerns’ capability (or ability to obtain the capability by the contract award date) to execute the complete requirements identified in the enclosure (1) SSN SOW in paragraph 4.0, as well provide the requisite past performance experience detailed in Section 5.0, are encouraged to respond to this SSN.  

If a small business concern intends to partner with another entity, the small business concern must identify which specific enclosure (1) SOW efforts/tasks it intends to perform, as well as the specific efforts/tasks the partner would perform, with the substantiating data required in this SSN supporting the identified partnering roles and responsibilities.  NOTE: 100% of the enclosure (1) SOW and SSN requirements must be addressed in any submitted partnering submittal, if obtainable.

NOTE:  In the event this contract is set aside for small business concerns, the small business concern agrees that it will be in strict compliance and conformance with the percentage payment limitations for services, supplies, or construction (as applicable) to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities in accordance with FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting and state such in their response.  

3.0       Minimum Qualifications / Experience Requirements

Interested firms shall document and submit specific and evidenced / demonstrated possession of the minimum qualifications and experience requirements in the technical areas identified in bullets a through h below which are critical to the successful execution of the enclosure (1) SSN SOW requirements in paragraph 4.0.  This experience shall be documented as specified in paragraph 5.0.  

1) Capacity to produce full 3-Dimensionally (3D) reinforced Carbon-Carbon:

           a) That is continuous graphite fiber reinforcement in an orthogonal X, Y, and Z coordinate system;

           b) That includes an alternate fiber material located in a specific location in the Z direction co-mingled with the graphite fiber reinforcement; and

           c) Composites with a carbon matrix produced by a combination of low-pressure liquid, and very high pressure (>10,000psi) pitch impregnation and carbonization of billets 11x11x24”.

2) Demonstrated ability to machine the 3D Carbon-Carbon composites described in paragraphs 3.0.1.a through 3.0.1.c, above, meaning composites including an alternate fiber material located in a specific location in the Z direction co-mingled with the graphite fiber reinforcement;

3) Capacity to Destructively and Non-Destructively test and inspect the 3D reinforced Carbon-Carbon variants described above;

4) Ability to manage manufacturing expansion projects for 3D reinforced Carbon-Carbon composites as required.

5) Demonstrated ability to lead the procurement, installation, Systems Security Engineering, Installation/Operational/Performance Qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ), and ongoing Government Furnished Property (GFP) stewardship of 3D reinforced Carbon-Carbon composites production equipment.

6) Demonstrated ability to implement safeguarding requirements stated in the DoDI 5200.48 and DFARS clause 22.204-7012.

4.0       Description of Requirements 

See enclosure (1) SSN SOW Requirements. 

4.1       Quantity of Personnel Required / Place of Performance

Approximately five Full Time Equivalent (FTE) personnel who will provide on-site support at the Contractor Facility.

5.0       Evidentiary Qualifications/Experience Documentation Requirements

Interested firms must possess the requisite minimum qualifications and experience identified in paragraph 3.0 and demonstrated relevant and recent experience as it relates to the enclosure (1) SOW requirements in paragraph 4.0. White Paper Capability statements must include all of the content and details identified below:

5.1       Minimum Qualifications / Experience Requirements Validation

White Paper Capability statement submissions shall include a discrete section with the heading “Minimum Qualifications / Experience Requirements” and document, with specific information, each of the minimum qualifications identified in paragraph 3.0.  This section may cite contract reference efforts detailed in Attachment 2 provided that respondents provide context and rationale as to how that contract reference effort(s) demonstrate possession of the applicable Minimum Qualifications / Experience requirements of bullets a through h identified in paragraph 3.0 – or have capability of obtaining by contract award.

5.2       Relevant & Recent Experience / Supporting Narratives

In addition to demonstrating possession of the requisite Minimum Qualifications / Experience requirements identified in paragraph 3.0 above (or have capability of obtaining by contract award), interested firms shall demonstrate relevant and recent experience performing the same or similar efforts and or completion tasks (as applicable) to the enclosure (1) SSN SOW requirements in paragraph 4.0.  Relevant experience is defined as performing efforts/tasks similar in scope, size, and complexity as the enclosure (1) SSN SOW requirements with an annual incurred cost/expense of at least tens of millions of dollars per year.  Recent experience is defined as work performed within 5 years of the SSN posting date.  To substantiate the performance of relevant and recent efforts/tasks to the enclosure (1) SSN SOW requirements, White Paper Capability statements shall provide a list of current or previous contract references and the efforts/tasks performed thereunder detailing and evidencing a direct correlation of the contract reference efforts/tasks to the enclosure (1) SSN SOW using the specific outline provided in Attachment 2.  Submitter’s shall include the following information per individual contract reference in the Attachment 2 format:

1. Summary of relevant work performed and how that specific work demonstrates capability to perform the specific requirements identified in the enclosure (1) SSN SOW requirements;
2. Current / Prior Contract Number(s) and Customer/Agency Supported;
3. Identification of your role as the Prime or Subcontractor;
4. Contract Type;
5. Period of performance of the specific contract reference effort performed;
6. Quantity of FTE personnel utilized on the specific contract reference effort, per annum, with distinction and FTE quantities identified between the respondents FTE employees and any subcontractor FTE employees;
7. Net Dollar value (base and options) for each contract reference and the Annual Incurred costs for each contract reference provided which demonstrates the magnitude of those contract references in comparison to the annual estimated value cited in paragraph 5.2 above.  NOTE: solely citing an IDIQ ceiling amount or base and all options aggregate value without the annual incurred costs for the submitted contract reference(s) is NOT acceptable – amounts must be specific to the actual incurred costs for a Contract CLIN(s) or Individual Task Order(s), for the contract reference(s) cited in the completed Attachment 2 format; and
8. Customer point of contact with valid phone number and email.

[See Attachment 2]

6.0       Company Information and Deadline for Submittal

White Paper Capability statements shall be submitted in Microsoft Word or PDF format, and are due at the time specified on this SAM.gov opportunity announcement.  The White Papers shall not exceed 5 pages in total, using 12-point Times New Roman and 1” margin and shall be submitted via e-mail to samuel.bouchelle@ssp.navy.mil.  NOTE: The page count, font size, and margin requirements apply to the entire SSN response, to include any Cover Page, Attachments, Headers, Footers, etc., excluding the Company Administrative Information below.  

The Government is seeking detailed content and responses to the SSN requirements over any promotional details, pictures, etc.

ALL White Paper Capability submittals shall include the following Company Administrative Data which is “NOT” included in the aforementioned maximum 5-page limit:

1. Company Administrative Information

      a. Company Name:

      b. Company Point of Contact (email and phone) and Title:

      c. Company Address:

      d. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) No:

      e. Cage Code:

2. Size of business, including; total annual revenue, by year, for the past five years and number of employees;

3. Ownership, including whether: small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, and women-owned small business concerns;

4. Number of years in business;

5. Identification of the current security clearance held at your facility that will provide support to the enclosure (1) SOW requirements.

Respondents to this SSN shall indicate which portions of their response are proprietary/business sensitive and should mark them accordingly.  It is the responsibility of the SSN respondent to monitor the sam.gov website for additional information pertaining to any potential acquisition.

7.0       Government Assessment

The White Paper Capability statement responses to this SSN must meet the requirements stated in the SSN and will be reviewed to determine whether each respondent is capable of performing the requirements.  This review will be based solely on the specific data and supporting content provided by the respondents in their White Paper Capability statement submissions and responses to any follow-on clarification inquires submitted by the Government.  Incomplete or generalized White Paper Capability statements, without specificity as it relates to the SSN content requirements, omitted content, or content which fails to address all of the requirements of this SSN, will have a direct affect upon the Government’s assessment of the White Paper submittal.   The Government’s assessment will include, but is not limited to, the following:

(1) The respondent’s specific and evidenced / demonstrated possession of the Minimum Qualifications / Experience requirements identified in paragraph 3.0;

(2)  The respondent’s demonstrated ability to manage, as a Prime or Subcontractor, the types and magnitude of requirements identified in the enclosure (1) SSN SOW requirements based on their relevant and recent performance of same/similar efforts/tasks in terms of scope, size, and complexity;

(3)  The respondent’s demonstrated technical ability, as a Prime or Subcontractor, to execute the enclosure (1) SSN SOW requirements based on their relevant and recent performance of same/similar efforts/tasks in terms of scope, size, and complexity; and

(4)  The respondent’s demonstrated capacity to execute the enclosure (1) SSN SOW requirements based on their relevant and recent performance of same/similar efforts in terms of scope, size, and complexity, the quantity of personnel required, and the contract award date.

8.0       SSN Disclaimer

This SSN is issued solely for Market Research purposes.  It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) nor a promise to issue an RFP in the future.  This SSN does not commit the Government to solicit or award a contract.  The information provided in the SSN is subject to change and is not binding on the Government.  Respondents are advised that ALL costs associated with responding to this SSN, including any requests for follow-up information, will be solely at the interested parties’ expense and the Government will not pay for any information or costs incurred or associated with submitting a SSN White Paper Capability statement or follow-on responses. 

The Government reserves the right to consider a set-aside for small businesses or one of the small business preference groups. (e.g., small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, 8(a), HUBZone small business, and women-owned small business programs).